Cromwell wakeboarder Hayden Todd gets in some slider
practice yesterday before competing in the 2010 On Edge
Wakefest in Cromwell. Photo by Lynda Van Kempen.
The prospect of taking part in "slider" sessions on a
purpose-built pond and the chance to perform tricks on Lake
Dunstan have attracted top wakeboarders from around the country
and overseas to Cromwell.
The annual On Edge Wakefest, which began last night was the
only wakeboarding championship of its type staged south of
Christchurch, organiser Kerry McHardie, of Cromwell, said.
One of the "top guns" at the event is 2008 world champion
wakeboarder Jeff Weatherall, of Australia, who has also taken
top honours at the New Zealand championships.
The Cromwell event started with a slider session on a
50m-long purpose-built pond in Cromwell's industrial area.
The competitors were towed from one end of the pond to the
other by a winch and performed tricks on a slide, or rail.
"They get points depending on the ability level of the tricks
they perform, their landing and their style," Miss McHardie
said.
Today, the action shifts to Lake Dunstan, in front of Old
Cromwell, with 40 people entered in the free-ride section of
the competition.
"It will be a spectacular competition to watch. They go out
and have three passes behind a boat. They can fall as much as
they want and not lose points, but they gain points for the
tricks they perform.
"Quite a few of this country's top wakeboarders will be here,
as well as Jeff Weatherall, so you'll see the top
wakeboarders in action," she said.
A purpose-built wakeboard tournament boat is used to tow the
wakeboarders on the lake. Miss McHardie was hoping for a fine
day and a calm lake.
This is the third Wakefest held in Cromwell. Competition
begins today at 10am and will continue until about 5pm.
- lynda.van.kempen@odt.co.nz
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